I will give my opinion on this subject with the knowledge that other may have a
different one. I have been trying to explain the differences and evolution of
the tango styles since the mid nineties. It has been a very difficult task. The
advent of You tube has greatly facilitated this endeavor as they make obvious
the differences.
Tom says:
"The reason I say this, is that the tango of each neighborhood always had its
own distinguishing aspects, and VU is just one neighborhood."
It is true that historically each neighborhood had its own distinguishing
aspects, this is less obvious in modern times.
Tango used to be learnt inside the neighborhood, where the old milongueros
taught the new comers, these days there are more uniform tango lessons all over
the city that diluted the differences.
Traditional tango as it was danced in the 40s. was always danced in Villa
Urquiza, and in many other places as danced by Nito, Zotto, Copello, Pugliese,
Diego Difalco, etc.
It was more recently that the style called "Milonguero" from the crowded
milongas of downtown became internationally known as "the social form of
dancing tango" this in great part due to the fact that the tourists mostly
visit the downtown milongas.
In the meantime Traditional tango was danced in Villa Urquiza as always. When
people discovered this, they started calling traditional tango,"Estilo Villa
Urquiza".
Summary "Traditional tango" and "Villa Urquiza tango" are the same.
Tom Says:
"In my mental organization of tango styles, milonguero is another subset of
traditional social tango, as they say, a version of tango suited to crowded,
downtown milongas."
Yes, Traditional tango and Milonguero Style are social forms of tango but
generally speaking Traditional tango may also be used for stage while
milonguero is normally danced socially.
"Now you are saying that Villa Urquiza IS traditional salon tango, and
Milonguero is not salon tango. Is that correct?"
Assuming that Tom is addressing me: my answer is :
Villa Urquiza and traditional tango is the same style called by two different
names.
Salon tango in Argentina means the style danced at the milongas to
differentiate it from the one danced on stage.
Milonguero is therefore one of the Salon styles.
"Nuevo tango is another subset of traditional tango, with considerable
influence from fantasy elements borrowed from Todaro to Zotto. Nuevo (to me)
has nothing to do with non-tango music."
Nuevo Tango is not "Traditional Tango" it is a form that developed recently as
result of Gustavo Naveira, Fabian Salas and Chicho Frumboli, didactic approach
to tango. Originally it was an analytic teaching form that slowly, over a
period of 10 - 15 years selected moves from traditional tango and perhaps
added some new ones such as piernazos, the back boleo, etc. and in this
fashion, Nuevo became a "Tango Style". As it is being taught and danced by
many people.
Nuevo Tango is then another style that may be used socially or for exhibition .
Nuevo tango is danced like all the tango styles to traditional tango music, but
for those of us that frequently go to their milongas it is obvious that they
have a tendency to use alternative music to have more freedom for their dancing
moves.
"Chicho (perhaps the bastard son of nuevo) is one end, but if you ever watch
Gustavo (surely the godfather of nuevo) he normally dances with a very
traditional salon appearance."
It is true, Gustavo uses a traditional tango embrace to dance but the great
majority of the Nuevo Tango dancers use a very open tango embrace as shown in
the videos. Chicho is not a "bastard son of nuevo' he has been there from the
very beginnings with Gustavo and Fabian.
As it is usual in tango each one has his own personal way of dancing even
within a particular style.
"Is fantasy a style? "
Fantasy is another name used to describe "Traditional tango" in its more florid
appearance. The one where all the possibilities of tango are exhibited socially
or on stage.
Best regards, Sergio
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